The incident occurred on a pipeline that is contributing “to the achievement of the fundamental functions of security” of the nuclear reactor, according to an internal document to EDF Journal de l’energie was able to consult.
Steam leak occurred because a valve remained “stuck open” during the restart of the reactor. This simple faucet that it was not anymore possible to close in the secondary circuit caused the implementation of the cooling systems rescue of the nuclear reactor core.

« This incident has been ranked 1 on the scale of nuclear incidents which starts from zero and goes up to 7, said the ASN.”. An accidental valve opening in the secondary circuit is at the origin of the event, occurred on reactor No. 1. A security water injection was switched on. »

Michel Pluviose is Honorary Professor of Le Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (CNAM), and formerly Chair of Turbomachines who received his Doctor of Sciences from Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris VI. A hands-on engineer, Michel has worked with leading institutions, including as an engineer at Hispano-Suiza, SNECMA, Head of the laboratory at ATTAG (Association technique pour les turbomachines et turbines à gaz), Manager for compressible fluid activities at CETIM (Centre technique des industries mécaniques), and manager of the treaty « Machines hydrauliques et thermiques » at the « Techniques de l’Ingénieur » publications.